Disposable filter with an accessory port

ABSTRACT

A disposable filter for filtering a working fluid including a housing having an inlet to be disposed in fluid communication with a working fluid and an outlet to be disposed in fluid communication with a machine. A filter media is disposed within the housing for filtering the working fluid passing through the disposable filter between the inlet and outlet. At least one accessory port is positioned adjacent to and fluidly connected to at least one of the inlet and the outlet for receiving an accessory for monitoring a characteristic of the working fluid passing through the inlet or the outlet of the disposable filter and/or an operational condition of the disposable filter or associated machinery.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/560,979 filed on Sep. 20, 2017 entitled “FilterSystem Including Integrated Diagnostics”, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/560,854 filed on Sep. 20, 2017 entitled a“Disposable Filter Including an Integrated Sensor Assembly”, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/560,919 filed on Sep. 20,2017 entitled a “Disposable Filter Including an Accessory Port”, theentire disclosures of these provisional patent applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a filter for filtering aworking fluid passing therethrough. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to a disposable filter with an accessory port forreceiving an accessory which is configured to provide informationrelated to various characteristics of the filtered working fluid or anoperational condition of the disposable filter or associated machinery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This section provides a general summary of background information andthe comments and examples provided in this section are not necessarilyprior art to the present disclosure.

It is known in the art for various types of machinery, e.g.,automobiles, construction equipment, and manufacturing devices, toinclude filters for removing impurities from working fluids such asfuel, oil, gas and coolant. Cartridges of the filters are known to clogwith impurities and thus must periodically be replaced. Additionally, ithas been found that significant information about the working fluid andother parts of the machinery can be obtained based on characteristics ofthe working fluid as it passes through the filter. For example, whenfiltering bulk fuel delivered to a storage site, a filter system canidentify contamination in the fuel and therefore identify supply chainproblems. As another example, when filtering working fluid to an engineor hydraulic system, the filter system can identify abnormal chemical orphysical properties of the lubricant or hydraulic fluid. Accordingly, itis known to manually conduct working fluid sampling and analysis todetect problems associated with the working fluid and other parts of themachinery for ensuring product or process fluid quality. In some cases,the filter cartridges and working fluid are manually inspected based onpredetermined, static inspection schedules. It is also known forcondition-based monitoring systems to be built into machines to activelymonitor their working fluids. However, such condition-based monitoringsystems are not readily serviceable and replaceable, and can addsignificant expense to the machine. Accordingly, there remains a needfor improvements to such monitoring systems to reduce maintenance costsand improve machine performance, machine useful lifetime and fluidquality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is generally directed to a disposable filter whichincludes an accessory port for being coupled with an accessory which isconfigured to monitor a characteristic of the working fluid passingthrough the filter and/or an operational condition of the disposablefilter or associated machinery. The accessory port provides a simple andinexpensive means for connecting and disconnecting accessories to thedisposable filter. Accordingly, maintenance costs may be minimizedbecause accessories may be easily be disconnected from an old filter andreused on a new filter, thus allowing the accessories to be reused manytimes. Furthermore, the invention provides an easy to integrate means ofimplementing accessories in circumstances where integration is oftendifficult, such as typical engine applications where there is no spacefor adding plumbing and sensors. Additionally, the invention offerscondition-based maintenance without the cost of an expensive retrofit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a disposable filterincluding a first enabling embodiment of an accessory port;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a disposable filterincluding a second enabling embodiment of an accessory port;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a bypass structure incorporatedinto the first enabling embodiment of the disposable filter;

FIG. 4A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a magnetic getter;

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of the magnetic getter of FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of an example accessory including aplurality of sensors and a communications module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments of a filter system which includes an accessory inaccordance with the present disclosure will now be more fully described.Each of these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosureis thorough and fully conveys the scope of the inventive concepts,features and advantages to those skilled in the art. To this end,numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specificcomponents, devices and mechanisms associated with the filter system toprovide a thorough understanding of each of the embodiments associatedwith the present disclosure. However, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, not all specific details described herein need to beemployed, the example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms, and thus should not be construed or interpreted to limit thescope of the disclosure.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a filter system 9 in accordance with an aspect ofthe subject disclosure. As best shown therein, the filter systemincludes a disposable filter 10 which includes a housing 12 having agenerally cylindrical shape and extending between a top surface 13 and abottom surface 15. The top surface 13 defines an inlet 14 to be disposedin fluid communication with a source of working fluid as well as anoutlet 16 to be disposed in fluid communication with a machine 17 forreceiving the working fluid after passing through the disposable filter10. The housing 12 may be of various materials such as metal or plastic.A filter media 18 is disposed within the housing 12 in a path of fluidcommunication between the inlet and outlet 14, 16 for filtering theworking fluid prior to its delivery to the intended machine 17. Athreaded, female connector 19 is disposed adjacent a top portion of thefilter housing 12 for allowing the disposable filter 10 to be threadedonto a corresponding male connector 11 of the filter system 9 to allowfor easy attachment of the disposable filter 10 (i.e., a disposable“spin-on” type filter). A gasket 21 is provided which encircles or isdisposed around a top portion of the disposable filter 10 for sealingthe filter 10 when it is connected to corresponding machinery 17.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the disposable filter 10 includesan accessory port 20, 120 for being coupled with an accessory 22 that isconfigured to monitor a characteristic of the working fluid passingthrough the inlet 14 or the outlet 16 of the filter 10 and/or anoperational condition of the disposable filter 10 or correspondingmachinery 17. According to a first enabling embodiment of the accessoryport 20 illustrated in FIG. 1, the accessory port 20 is positionedadjacent to and fluidly connected to the outlet 16 of the filter 10 formonitoring the working fluid that has already passed through the filtermedia 18. According to a second example embodiment of the accessory port120 illustrated in FIG. 2, the accessory port 120 is positioned adjacentto and fluidly connected to the inlet 14 of the filter 10 for monitoringthe working fluid as it enters the filter 20 prior to passing throughthe filter media 18. It should be appreciated that alternatively, anaccessory port 20, 120 may be provided at both the inlet 14 and outlet16 of the filter 10 for monitoring the working fluid prior to, and afterpassing through the filter media 18.

The accessory 22 may be coupled with the accessory port 20, 120 by usingvarious means including, but not limited to, a threaded connection orinterference fit. A ring seal 24 is provided within the accessory port20, 120 for sealing the connection between the accessory port 20, 120and the accessory 22. It should be appreciated that various other typesof seals could be utilized. A valve 26 is provided adjacent to theaccessory port 20, 120 for selectively fluidly connecting anddisconnecting the filter 10 from the accessory 22 through the accessoryport 20, 120. It should be appreciated that various types of valves maybe utilized, e.g., a flapper valve, and the valve 26 may be mechanicallyor electrically actuated. The valve 26 may be utilized to allowaccessories 22 to be swapped at the accessory port 20, 120 whilepreventing the leakage of working fluid from within the filter 10. Itshould also be appreciated that the accessory 22 may alternatively beintegrated into an interposer structure that sits between the filter 10and the machinery 17 to which the filter 10 is attached.

Various types of accessories 22 may be coupled with the accessory port20, 120 including, but not limited to, passive electronics, activeelectronics and mechanical indicators. For example, an accessory 22 mayinclude a getter 28—either magnetic or chemical, such as that shown inFIGS. 4A-4B. Such a getter 28 may include a magnet 30 and a sight window32 for allowing a user to inspect particulate drawn to the magnet 30.The magnet 30 and window 32 are configured such that the magnet 30 isremovable from the window 32 to allow for easy cleaning of the window32. The accessory 22 may also include a stand-alone sight window forallowing a user to observe working fluid flowing to and away from thefilter 10. The accessory 22 may also include one or more sensors formaking various chemical or physical measurements of the working fluidsuch as pressure, temperature, flow rate, chemical composition, moisturelevels, an additive measurement, optical transmissibility, reflectionlevel, a light scattering level, a thermal capacity, a surface acousticwave measurement, ultrasonic wavelength, various electrical propertiesand various magnetic properties. The accessory 22 may further includeone or more sensors for monitoring filter properties and properties ofthe associated machinery 17 such as bypass valve actuation, a change inpressure and filter media electrical, vibrations and magneticcharacteristics. The accessory 22 may also include other devices such asa chemical doser, for example, to meter out oil additives, or amechanical indicator such as a toggle, flag or gauge.

In a preferred arrangement, the accessory 22 includes a communicationmodule 34, such as an antenna, RFID tag, or the like, for wirelesslycommunicating the measured/monitored characteristic of the workingfluid, the disposable filter 10 or associated machinery 17 to acontroller 36 disposed remotely from the filter 10. The communicationmodule 34 may be wireless, and thus may be powered by a battery or aflow activated generator. The communication module 34 may alternativelybe wired to the controller 36. An exemplary accessory 23 is presented inFIG. 5 which includes a plurality of fluid sensing elements 35 which areconnected to a single communications module 34. This arrangement allowsa single accessory 23 to measure multiple parameters of the workingfluid, filter or associated machinery 17.

Once transmitted to the controller 36, the acquired characteristics ofthe working fluid or the performance characteristic(s) of the disposablefilter 10 or associated machinery 17 can be analyzed by the controller24 to autonomously determine a condition of the disposable filter 10,working fluid passing therethrough or associated machinery 17. This datacan then be utilized to determine if the disposable filter 10 and themachinery 17 in communication with the filtered working fluid are inproper operating condition or alternatively need service or replacement.For example, based on complete or nearly complete operating history ofthe disposable filter 10 and the working fluid passing therethrough, anoptimal maintenance schedule and a prediction of the machine's 17remaining useful life can be determined.

The controller 36 may take various forms and retrieved data from theaccessory 22 may be transmitted to the controller 36 by way of variousmeans. For example, the controller 36 may be a computer that ispositioned in a vehicle or it may take the form of a smartphone. Inthese cases, the controller 24 may connect to the accessory 22 by way ofconnections such as a Bluetooth®, TPM, Zigbee® or Near-field connection.Additionally, it should be appreciated that the accessory 22 may bedisconnected from the accessory port 20, 120 and moved to a new locationfor examination by a remotely located controller 36 or other inspectiontool. The controller 36 may be disposed in communication with variouscomponent systems 25 of the machine 17 such as pumps, hosestransmission, etc. to couple data from these other sources on themachine 17 with the filter characteristics to further aid and optimize aprediction of the machine state.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, according to one aspect, the disposablefilter 10 can include a pressure bypass structure 38, such as a bypassvalve, or the like, disposed adjacent the fluid outlet 16 formaintaining a predetermined pressure within the disposable filter 10. Abypass flag 40 or other bypass indicating device may be positionedadjacent to the accessory port 20, 120 for indicating a status of thebypass structure 38. Since the accessory port 20, 120 is located remotefrom the bypass structure 38, the bypass flag 40 allows the state of thebypass structure 38 to be communicated remotely from the accessory port20, 120.

Accordingly, as will be appreciated by the subject disclosure, theintegration of the accessory port 20, 120 provides a low-cost approachto implementing condition-based maintenance of the disposable filter 10and working fluid quality control into an existing filter system withoutthe need for an expensive retrofit. Additionally, the accessory port 20,120 advantageously allows limitless types of accessories 22 to becoupled with the filter 10 based on current needs. Additionally, thesubject system provides for an easy method of integrating a means ofintegrating accessories 22 in circumstances where integration is oftendifficult, such as typical engine applications where there is no spacefor added plumbing and sensors.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable filter for filtering a working fluidcomprising: a housing including an inlet to be disposed in fluidcommunication with a working fluid and an outlet to be disposed in fluidcommunication with a machine; a filter media disposed within saidhousing for filtering said working fluid passing through said disposablefilter between said inlet and outlet; and at least one accessory portpositioned adjacent to and fluidly connected at least one of said inletand said outlet for receiving an accessory for monitoring acharacteristic of said working fluid passing through said inlet or saidoutlet of the disposable filter and/or an operational condition of thedisposable filter or associated machinery.
 2. A disposable filter ofclaim 1 further including an accessory coupled with said accessory portfor monitoring a characteristic of said working fluid passing throughsaid inlet or said outlet of said disposable filter and/or anoperational condition of the disposable filter or associated machinery.3. A disposable filter of claim 2 wherein said accessory is a getter andincludes a magnet for drawing particulate from said working fluid towardsaid magnet, and a sight window for allowing a user to inspect saidparticulate drawn to said magnet.
 4. A disposable filter of claim 3wherein said magnet is removably connected to said window to allow saidmagnet to be removed from said window such that said window may becleaned.
 5. A disposable filter of claim 2 wherein said accessoryincludes a sight window for allowing a user to observe working fluidflowing within said disposable filter.
 6. A disposable filter of claim 2wherein said accessory includes at least one sensor configured tomeasure at least one of pressure, temperature, flow rate, chemicalcomposition moisture levels, an additive measure, opticaltransmissibility, reflection level, a light scattering level, a thermalcapacity, a surface acoustic wave measurement, and an ultrasonicwavelength of said working fluid.
 7. A disposable filter of claim 2further including a controller for analyzing characteristics of saidworking fluid acquired by said accessory.
 8. A disposable filter ofclaim 7 wherein said accessory includes a communication module inwireless electronic communication with said controller for wirelesslycommunicating said measured characteristics of said working fluid, thedisposable filter or associated machinery to said controller.
 9. Adisposable filter of claim 7 wherein said controller is positionedremote from said accessory.
 10. A disposable filter of claim 2 whereinsaid accessory is detachably coupled with said accessory port.
 11. Adisposable filter of claim 1 further including a bypass structureadjacent to said fluid outlet and configured to maintain a predeterminedpressure within said disposable filter.
 12. A disposable filter of claim11 further including a bypass indicating device connected to said bypassstructure and configured to indicate a status of said bypass structure.13. A disposable filter of claim 12 wherein said bypass indicatingdevice is positioned adjacent to said accessory port.
 14. A disposablefilter of claim 3 wherein a seal is positioned within said accessoryport for sealing said connection between said accessory port and saidaccessory.
 15. A disposable filter of claim 3 further including a valveconnected to said accessory portion for selectively fluidly connectingand disconnecting said disposable filter from said accessory throughsaid accessory port and to allow different accessories to be coupledwith said accessory port while preventing said leakage of fluid fromwithin said disposable filter.
 16. A disposable filter of claim 15wherein said valve is a flapper valve.
 17. A filter system as set forthin claim 1 wherein said housing has a generally cylindrical shape andextends between a bottom surface and a top surface, and wherein said topsurface of said housing defines said inlet, and wherein said top surfaceof said housing further defines said outlet at a position that isradially inward of said inlet.
 18. A filter system as set forth in claim17 wherein said filter media is positioned radially between said inletand said outlet.
 19. A filter system as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid housing includes a connector for allowing said housing to becoupled with said machine.
 20. A filter system as set forth in claim 19wherein said connector is a threaded connection for allowing saidhousing to be threaded onto a corresponding threaded connection on saidmachine.